The Afghan Girls Financial Assistance Fund (the “Fund”) was established in 2008 to aid young Afghan women who seek a college education in the United States. The Fund identifies promising young women, matches them with participating educational institutions and American host families and provides financial support to defray expenses not covered by either these institutions or host families. These women often need additional secondary education before starting at a college or university. The Fund also provides assistance at this level.

The women selected by the Fund are not only well qualified, highly motivated and in need of financial assistance, but also are committed to returning home and sharing the benefit of their education to improve conditions in Afghanistan. They share this benefit while back home during the summers and will continue to do so once they return home having completed their US based education. The Fund provides round trip transportation home each summer to allow recipients time with their families, to maintain their cultural ties and to engage in worthwhile projects.

The first Fund recipient is now in her third year of a four year scholarship program at Drew University. Before entering Drew, she attended Blair Academy, a preparatory school in Blairstown, New Jersey for one year. The second recipient attended the George School, a preparatory school in Newtown, Pennsylvania, on scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year and then returned to Afghanistan to care for her ill mother. The third Fund recipient is now in the first of a four year scholarship program at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is a scholarship graduate of the George School, where she received the prestigious International Baccalaureate Degree.

The fourth Fund recipient is a scholarship student at Blair Academy. The fifth and sixth Fund recipients are now in the first of a two year preparatory school scholarship program at St. Timothy’s School, outside Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, two other young Afghan women, who are now in the second year of two year private school secondary programs, are being assisted in their educational efforts. The first is attending the Lyndon Institute in Lyndon Center, Vermont and the second, the Friends Select School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Focus on the Higher Education of Young Afghan Women

In the years of war and rule by the Taliban that followed Russian occupation, opportunities for young Afghan women to receive a higher education were non-existent. In the post Taliban era  educational opportunities for women have begun to emerge but many capable and deserving young women still find it impossible to pursue a higher education. The Fund’s goal  is to further expand these opportunities The value of providing such assistance goes beyond the life-changing opportunity for these individuals..  It is measured by the profound and lasting impact that educated women have in the growth and development of their country’s future.

While  here in the US, the Fund supported young women serve as educators and ambassadors helping their fellow students, teachers and the members of their host communities better understand and appreciate the conditions in Afghanistan. Further , when they communicate with family, friends and acquaintances back home, they bring a new perspective that helps foster mutual understanding and respect.